It's really an accurate measure of how desperate he is (or in this case isn't) to get back in the national side. He knows they'll have him at any given opportunity anyway. He can have a bit of fun and slog around merrily on flat pitches against domestic attacks.

Similar situation for Lou. Can't believe that people are talking about him as an alternative for Guppy in the Test side. He's making quick 30s with lofted drives over mid-off-cover then nicking out getting stuck over his front foot, as he always has. He's only here to play HRV and fill in time around it.

>>>>>>WHHOOOOOOOOOSHHHHHHH>>>>>>Fascist Dictator of the Heath Davis Appreciation SocietySupporting Petone's Finest since the very start - Iain O'Brien
Adam Wheater - Another batsman off the Essex production line
Also Supporting the All Time #1 Batsman of All Time Ever - Jacques Kallis and the much maligned Peter Siddle.

And Bartlett in the wickets. I see yesterday Hopkins made the schoolboy error of bowling him away from the camera, so we didn't get the benefit of his fearsome front on action, and Rutherford cashed in .......

Following the BLACKCAPS fine win against Sri Lanka in Colombo, a number of players have made big movements up the ICC ranking ladder.

Head of the pack is captain Ross Taylor, who bolted up to eighth on the Test batting list. It’s a career high for the skipper, who is reaping the rewards from his scores of 142 and 74 in the recent victory.

It’s not surprising to see Taylor rise so high, with the 28 year-old having scored centuries in the West Indies, India and Sri Lanka this year alone. He also holds a healthy average of 43.57.

With the South Africa series just around the corner he will have the chance to continue elevating, with Kevin Pietersen a mere three points ahead of him in seventh.

Fellow batsman Kane Williamson is also befitting from his big century in the last Test, having climbed 13 positions to a personal best 35th spot.

In the bowling rankings, Tim Southee has broken into the top 20 for the first time having jumped 13 spots from 33rd. It’s fair reward for what was a breakout series for Southee, highlighted by his figures of eight for 120 in Colombo.

He joins Chris Martin on the ladder, who sits two positions higher in 18th. Bright prospect Trent Boult has not yet worked his way up that high, but few would doubt he won’t in time having impressed many during the series.

The 23 year-old sits in 48th, having ascended 16 spots. Doug Bracewell also went up three spots to be ranked 38th.

I had vague recollections of Munro being more of a bowler in his first stint, so I checked on Cricket Archive. He batted 11 on his FC debut. And bowled first change. He had moved to number 10 by his second match.

Well yeah Tendy is probably better than Bradman, but Bradman was 70 years ago, if he grew up in the modern era he'd still easily be the best. Though he wasn't, can understand the argument for Tendy even though I don't agree.

Hitchcock batting 6 and bowling god knows what at that stage. Yeah I think shield has improved since 5 or so years ago..... As mentioned earlier in one of the threads. Wasn't that pretty much when a glut of non-internationals we're basically retiring by their late 20s to get on with their proper careers? (plus those ruined by the academy and bio-dynamics as per o'briens article)

Franklin's top flight captaincy experience is limited to leading New Zealand A in Zimbabwe two years ago.

He can hear the critics, those that believe his style is not conducive to captaining a side.

But he hopes to be judged on performance and results - well in this case, result.

"I've got to be pro-active and I'll throw ideas at bowlers about possible field placings.

"Who knows, captaincy might be a good thing for me in terms of my body language and all that stuff that people have crapped on about for years."

Franklin has reviewed his game over the past few weeks and in consultation with national bowling coach Shane Bond, he is going to have another crack at bowling in the low 130kmh range rather than the mid 120kmh range.

Cricket was a cloud
It was just like a flower
Agribusiness added lime
Now my love is sour

I had vague recollections of Munro being more of a bowler in his first stint, so I checked on Cricket Archive. He batted 11 on his FC debut. And bowled first change. He had moved to number 10 by his second match.

He certainly was, used to bat around 8-9 for club side as well. Bowled good heat, took 7 wickets in an Auckland one-day final and got called up. But always been a potent striker and worked hard on it to the point where his bowling is just a part-time fallback.